Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The number of drivers’ licenses suspended rose in Switzerland in 2008, up to 74,326, an increase of 2,275 compared to 2007. Suspensions ranged from one to three months in 70% of cases to indefinite suspensions for 15% of the licenses taken by the police.

The greatest increase was for suspensions for speeding, up 5% to more than 33,000 cases. The number of drivers who had their licenses removed for driving with an alcohol limit over 0.8 per 1,000 fell slightly, 1.2%.

The federal roads department notes that the number of people whose licenses were taken because of inattention rose by 7.5%: 8,506 cases. It blames the growing use of electronic devices, from cell phones to GPS systems.

Drivers over the age of 50 had the biggest increase in suspensions, while drivers under age 20 had fewer, which the road department attributes to new learner driver rules which appear to be particularly effective with young women.

Foreign drivers are not included in the statistics because Switzerland cannot suspend licenses from other countries. Police do, however, have the right to refuse a driver who is accused of breaking the law permission to use Swiss roads, effective immediately.